Which route is the most beautiful to take in Trang An? - Tips for first-time visitors

Trang An Ninh Binh is famous as an eco-tourism area recognized by UNESCO as a mixed world heritage site since 2014, including cultural and natural heritage. The most asked question is which route should I take to Trang An? Based on practical experience, this article will give you more useful information to have a successful trip.

1. Trang An - The first mixed heritage complex in Southeast Asia    

Trang An - Ninh Binh tourist area is a complex of limestone mountains, caves, and lagoons with beautiful natural scenery. Located in the center of Trang An Scenic Complex, Trang An eco-tourism area with an area of 2,168 hectares is a place that attracts many domestic and international tourists because of its rare beauty.

When visiting Trang An, visitors will be fascinated by the majestic beauty of nature with overlapping limestone mountains and clear blue waters flowing through the caves. From the boat, visitors will enjoy the scenery of green rice fields and clear water, creating a peaceful natural picture.

2. Guide to Trang An tourist area

2.1. Sightseeing Ticket Prices 

In general, the price of sightseeing tickets in Trang An compared to the general ground is relatively cheap. Trang An ticket prices include boat tickets, sightseeing and do not include parking costs, the current ticket price list is as follows:

- Adults are priced at 250,000 VND/ticket/adult.

- For children with a height of 1m to 1.3m, the ticket price is 120,000 VND/ticket/child.

- Free of charge for children under 1m in height.

- Private boat rental: 1,250,000 VND/ 1 boat

- Guide: 300,000 VND/ 1 route.

- Parking costs range from 10,000 VND/unit.

2.2. Ticket selling hours

- Weekdays (Monday to Friday): 6:30 – 17:00

- Saturday and Sunday: 6:00 – 17:00

In addition to buying tickets directly at Trang An tourist area, visitors can book tickets online in advance at the website: https://muave.disantrangan.vn/ so that they don't have to wait in line.

3. Which route is the most beautiful to go to Trang An 

Currently, Trang An has 3 main ferry routes for you to visit. 

Route 1: Boat Pier - Boat Pier - Trinh Temple - Dark Cave - Morning Cave - Wine Brewing Cave - Ba Giot Cave - Seo Cave - Son Duong Cave - Phu Khong - Tran Cave - Quy Hau Cave - Boat Pier

With route 1, visitors will pass through 9 caves and 3 spiritual points, it will take about 3.5 hours for you to go all the points.

Route 1 is the most peaceful route, passing through the most caves. If you want to explore unique caves and enjoy tranquil nature, route 1 is the best choice. When taking Route 1, visitors need to pay attention to dress discreetly to ensure solemnity when entering spiritual spots.

Route 2: Boat Pier - Lam Cave - Cao Son Holy Temple - Vang Cave - Saint Slip Cave - Suoi Tien Temple - Dai Cave - Vu Lam Palace - Boat Pier

Route 2 visitors will pass through 4 caves and 3 spiritual areas, to go all the way will take about 2.5 hours this route you will explore historical architecture.

The scenery of the landmarks in Route 2 is extremely majestic and poetic with winding limestone mountains, the clear blue Sao Khe River and fantasy caves. All these features have created a beautiful setting and are very suitable for check-in. You should wear Vietnamese uniforms, ao dai, and long skirts to have lifelong photos to make a mark in this place.

Route 3: Boat Pier - Trinh Temple - Sudden Cave - May Cave - Suoi Tien Temple - Di Linh Mountain - Dai Cave - Vu Lam Palace - Boat Pier

The journey to explore route 3 visitors will pass through 3 caves and 3 spiritual points, it takes about 3 hours by boat to all points. Route 3 is a harmonious combination of beautiful caves and architectural works with historical imprints. 

Line 3 and Line 2 are the two most popular routes for tourists because you will be able to pass through the entire Kong film: Skull Island. According to the actual experience of visitors who go first, you should take route 3 and go to route 2, this combination will give you many interesting experiences when visiting all the features of both routes. To be connected to such a route, visitors only need to tell the uncle who drives the ferry, and they will arrange the route for you.

4. The suitable time to take a boat ride in Trang An

On average, each ferry lasts 2.5 - 3 hours, Trang An tourist area will be open to pick up passengers from 6 am to 5 pm, so visitors need to time to catch the last boat.  

Visitors should consider information about the weather situation during the day to decide the appropriate time for sightseeing, avoiding the scorching sun of the afternoon. The ideal time to experience is from about 6 - 8 am and from 14 - 15 pm.

5. Famous attractions in the Trang An Ecological Area

5.1. Cultural relics

Trinh Temple

Trinh Temple is a place to worship the four gods of the Dinh Dynasty, including two Ta Thanh Tru and two Huu Thanh Tru. During the reign, they held the position of General Supervisor and were responsible for governing the king's gold treasury and silver vault. According to legend, when King Dinh Tien Hoang died and the court fell into chaos, they secretly protected Dinh Toan here to avoid being pursued by Le Hoan. When Queen Dowager Duong Van Nga gave power and dragon vows to the Ten Generals Le Hoan, these people refused to succumb and chose to be martyred in this area. The people erected the Phu throne on the mountainside to worship them.

Tran Temple

Tran Temple was built by King Dinh Tien Hoang at the same time as Hung Temple. Later, King Tran Thai Tong came here and established the Vu Lam Palace, which continued to be renovated and expanded, so it was called Tran Temple. Tran Temple worships the god Quy Minh, the god who guards the southern gate of Hoa Lu Four Towns. Tran Ninh Binh Temple Festival takes place on March 18 of the lunar calendar every year and along with the Hoa Lu ancient capital festival, Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival, this is one of the major festivals in Ninh Binh.

Khong Palace

Khong Place is situated on a narrow strip of land, backed by Khong Cave, with steep rocky mountains to the right and a vast valley ahead. It is a place of worship for seven high-ranking officials of the Đinh dynasty. According to legend, upon the death of King Đinh Tiên Hoàng, these seven officials buried numerous coffins in different directions and then committed suicide to protect the secret of the king's true tomb. One general who defended the southern fortress, moved by their loyalty and righteousness, established an altar here for offerings. After his death, local people erected a shrine and planted a thị tree in front of the Phủ as a tribute to these noble officials. This thousand-year-old thị tree bears two types of fruits: one round and one flat.

Vu Lam Palace

Located in the heart of the Trang An Ecological Area, formerly a military base during the Tran Dynasty, Vũ Lâm Palace lies within the Southern Mountain Range of the ancient capital Hoa Lư. It is associated with the events where Tran kings renounced the throne to pursue Buddhist practices and expand Buddhism. Today, Vũ Lâm Palace is the core area of the scenic complex of Trang An, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site.

5.2. Some typical caves in the Trang An landscape complex

Địa Linh Cave

Địa Linh Cave,  approximately 1500 meters long, is the first cave on route number 1 starting from the boat pier at Sao Khe River for tourists to explore. Here, visitors will feel like they have entered a treasure trove of fossilized stalactites. Exiting the cave, they are greeted by a picturesque landscape of mountains, rivers, and the sky.

Đại Cave
Just like its name suggests, Đại Cave is about 200 meters long with a very spacious and open interior.

Wine Brewing Cave

There is an underground stream that is over 10 meters deep. According to ancient tradition, predecessors used to come here to fetch water for brewing wine to offer to the kings.

Giọt Cave

Ba Giọt Cave features numerous stalactites in various colors. One type resembles a banyan tree growing downwards from the ceiling. What makes Ba Giọt Cave unique is that its stalactites are not dry like those in other caves; instead, they are moist and continue to evolve, forming new shapes and shades over time.

 

4. Some tips for exploring the Trang An tourism area

- If you want to take photos, ask the boat driver to pause so you can comfortably capture beautiful moments of this location.

- Always carry a life jacket when operating the boat. You can remove it when you want to take photos, but do so carefully and prioritize safety.

- Remember the boat number you are on. This will help you easily locate your boat quickly.

- Visit Trang An in the morning when the weather is pleasant. You'll have better conditions for photography without harsh sunlight.

- Prepare items like hats, caps, and umbrellas in case the weather changes unexpectedly.

- There are temples and religious sites in Trang An, so choose modest and respectful attire to honor the sacred space.